Controller for motor-operated valves



Sept. 9 1924.

E. T. FOOTE cou'monusa FOR MOTOR OPERATED VALVES Filed March 8. 1920 IQVENTOR.

%W J\W ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,508,138 PATENT OFFICE.

' EDWARD T. FOO'IE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ABSIGNOB' TO ISHE MFG. 00., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 01 WISCONSIN.

CONTROLLER FO'B MOTOR-OPERATED VALVES.

Application filed larch 8, 1920. Serial ll'o. 864,118.

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD T. Foorn, a citizen of the United States residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Controllers for Motor-Operated Valves, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference bein had to the accompanying drawing, formlng a part of this specification.

This invention relates to controllers for motor operated valves, and is particularly applicable to valves utilized in systems of water distribution.

An object of the invention is that of providing for valves utilized in the foregoing and other systems a. controller adapted to effect a given operation of the valve automatically under predetermined abnormal conditions of the system.

Another object is that of providing a controller of the. aforesaid character adapted to effect automatically a given operation of the valve under predetermined conditions of derangement of the controller.

Another object is that of providin a controller of the character stated adapt under normal conditions to voluntary actuation for effecting openin closing or intermediate positioning of t e valve while providing against improper operation of the valve under redetermined abnormal conditions.

Ot er objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The accompan ing drawin illustrates schematically an diagrammatically one of the embodiments which the invention may assume in practice.

Referring to the drawing, the same illustrates a simplified conduit system havin branches 1 and 2 and adapted to be suppli with water or other fluid under substantial pressure through a valve 3. A reversible motor 4 having a series field 5 is adapted by means of suitable gearing 6 to drive said valve in opposite directions selectively for effecting closing, 0 enin or intermediate positioning thereo lectromagnetically operated reversing switches 7 and 8 serve selectively to connect the motor and field across supply lines L, U in reverserelations for operation in opposite directions respectively while limit switches 9 and 10 serve selectively to arrest operation of the motor in either direction and also serve in conjunction, with the reversing switches to prevent restarting thereof in such direction prior to predetermined operation in the opposite direction.

Pressure res nsive switches 11 and 12 serve to contro the continuity of the energizmg circuit of switch 7, said last mantione switch also serving b means of auxiliary contacts 13 to contro the energizing circuit of reversing switch 8. The energizmg circuits of said reversing switches are furthermore subjected to voluntary selective control by a master controller-'14 while a mechanical interlock 15 serves to revent closure of either ofsaid switches so long as the other remains closed. As shown in the drawing interlock 15 includes arms 15and 15 connected to switches 7 and 8 res tively. Arm'15 is provided with a pro ecting ug 15 and upon closure of switch 8 said lug moves into the path of the arm 15 to prevent closure of switch 7 while upon closure of switch 7 the end of arm 15 moves into the path of said lug to prevent closure of switch 8.

More specificall switch 7, which is as sumed to control t e valve closing operation of the motor, is biased by ravity to motor energizin position where y during inaction of t e motor'or during valve'opening action thereof said switch must be held open electromagneticall through energization of its winding. he pressure responsive switches 11 and 12 are arran the energizing circuit of sai winding and are adapted to maintain their contacts closed so long as the fluid pressure in their respective conduit branches exceeds a predetermined minimum value. y Said holding circuit of valve closing switch 7 also extends throu h the master controller 14 which is adapte to assume extreme 1positions for effecting valve closing and va ve opening energization of the motor through the reversing switches selectively, and an intermediate neutral position wherein the motor is de-energized. Said controller is moreover adapted when in either valve opening or neutral sition to maintain continuit of said ho ding circuit and when move to its valve closing position to inter rupt said circuit.

Reversing switch 8, which controls the valve opening operation of the motor, is on din series in the other hand, gravity biased to open sition and is c osable electromagnetica y only by movement of the master controller to 1ts valve opening position while the reversing switch 7 is maintained open.

The various parts being in the relative positions illustrated, failure of pressure in either of the branches 1 and 2 due to rupture of the conduit or other cause, permits its associated pressure responsive switch to o 11 thereby interrupting the energizin circuit of reversin switch 7 which circuit normally extends om line L through the winding of said switch, by conductor 16 through pressure responsive switch 11, thence by conductor 17 through pressure res onsive switch' 12, by conductor 18 through t e master controller and by conductor 19 to line L. Upon deenergization of said circuit, said reversing switch 7 is adapted to close under its bias, thus completmg the motor circuit for efi'ecting closure of valve 3, said circuit extending from line L through series field 5, thence by conductor 20 through limit switch 10, by conductor 21 through the lower down contacts of said reversin switch 7, thence by conductors 22 and 23 t rough the motor from left to right, by conductors 24 and 25 through the upper contacts of said reversing switch 7 and thence to line L. The motor thereupon functions for closing the Valve and releasing limit switch 9 which thereupon closes, and at the end of the valve closing operation, limit switch 10 is opened thereby interrupting the motor circuit and also providing a ainst reclosure of said circuit b 'means 0 said reversing switch except fo lowing prior operation of the motor in the op os1te directlon.

gbviously movement of the master controller to valve closin position serves similarly to interrupt the o din circuit of said reversing switch with res ts as aforedescribed, whereas the valve 3 will also be closed automatically u on any derangement of the controller whic results in interru tion of said holding circuit, assuming t e power circuits to be unaffected. Closure of reversing switch 7 also serves through opening of its auxiliary up contacts 13 and throng action of the mechanical interlock 15 toprevent closure of reversing switch 8 until said former reversing switch is re-opened and held open. There'- fore .followin automatic closure of said former reversing switch and functioning of the motor to close the valve due to any of the abnormal conditions stated, no further energization of the motor can be efl'ected by means of the controller prior to such repair or restoration of the servlce as results in continuous energization of the holding winding of said reversing switch 7. The controller thus provides against reopening of the valve mosses while an appreciable leak exists in the conduit system or if the controller itself is not in condition to effect its intended automatic functions.

However, assuming closure of the valve in response to actuation of themaster controls ler,' said valve may be reopened throu h movement of the master controller to its openin position. In so moving the master control er passes through its neutral position and picks up said reversing switch 7 with consequent closure of its u contacts 13 and upon full movement of t e master controller the energizing circuit of reversing switch 8 is completed, said circuit extendin from line L by conductor 26 throug said up contacts 13 of reversin switch 7 thence by conductor 27 throng the winding of reversing switch 8, thence by conductor 28 through the master controller to line L. Reversing switch 8 thereupon-closes for effecting valve opening circuit connection of the motor, the circuit of the latter thereafter extending from line L through the series field as formerly traced, thence by conductor 29 through limit switch 9, by conductor 30 through the upper contacts of reversin switch 8, thence by conductors 25 and'24 t rough the motor from ri ht to left, by conductors 23 and 22 throug the lower contacts of said reversing switch 8 and thence by conductor 31 to line L. The motor thereupon operates in a direction opposite to that aforedescribed for eiiecting opening of the valve, and upon completion of such action limit switch 9 is operated for de-energization of the motor circuit, while at an earlier stage the limit switch 10 is permitted to close, thus providing for subsequent restarting of the motor in the opposite direction to effect closure of the valve under any of the conditions aforedescribed.

Obviously voluntarily controlled movement of the valvemay be arrested at any desired intermediate stage by movement of the master controller to neutral position. Also since in each instance the open limit switch is permitted to close prior to opening of the closed limit switch, the master controller may be utilized for inchin in either direction to effect finer interm iate settings of the valve. 4

The limit switches serve in conjunction with the reversing switches to prevent energization of the motor in a sense tending to cause over-travel of the valve, whereas the mechanical interlock 15 serves positively to prevent closure of either ofthe reversing switches so long as the other is in closed position irres ctive of operation; of the nlilzister contro ler tending to effect such re- S t.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.- In a controller for a valve to be utilized in a water distribution system or the like, the combination with an operating motor for said valve, of a pair of electro-responsive switches adapted to efiect line connections for said motor for operation in reverse directions respectively, manual control means for said switches, means for effecting operation of one of said switches independently of said manual means, and associated means adapted upon said independent operation of said switch to render said manual control means ineffective for control of the other switch pending restoration of said independently operated switch to its former condition.

2. In a controller for a valve to be utilized in a water distribution system or the like, the combination with an operating motor for said valve, of a pair of electro-magnetically operated switches adapted to efiect line connections for the motor for operation in reverse directions respectively, one of said switches being adapted to control the energizing circuit of the other, manual control means for said switches and a control device for said former switch 0 rable automati cally under predetermine pressure conditions in said system to provide for motor actuation of said valve in 5 given direction and to render said manual control means ineffective pending resetting of said device.

3. In a reversing controller for electric motors in combination, a pair of electromagnetically operated switches adapted to establish line connections for the motor for operation in reverse directions respectively, one of said switches being arranged td control the energizing circuit of the pther switch and voluntary control means for said switches adapted to be rendered ineffective upon extraneous interruption of the energizing circuit of said former switch.

4. The combination with a conduit to be supplied with fluid under pressure, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said conduit and a reversible actuating motor for said valve of a pair of electro-magnetically controlled switches for efiecting ener' gization of said motor to open and close said valve selectively, one of said switches being responsive to interrupt the energizing circuit of said motor and the other being responsive to establish the energizing circuit for said motor, means controlled by said former switch for controlling the energizing circuit of said latter switch, voluntary selective control means for said switches and pressure operated means adapted to control the energizing circuit of said former switch to provide for motor actuation of said valve in one direction only upon predetermined pressure conditions in said conduit.

5. In a reversing controller for electric motors, in combination, a pair of electromagnetically operated switches adapted to eflect line connections for the motor for operation in reverse directions respectively, one of said switches being biased to motor energizing position and adapted to be electromagnetically moved and held out of such position, the other of said switches being movable electromagnetically to motor energizing position and biased out of such position, said former switch being adapted to control the energizing winding of said latter switch, and voluntary selective control means for said switches adapted to be rendered ineffective upon closure of said former switch through extraneous interruption of the holding circuit of said switch.

6. The combination with-a conduit to be supplied with fluid under pressure, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said conduit and a reversible actuatin motor for said valve, of a pair of switches or effecting valve closing and valve opening energization of said motor selectively, said closin switch having an electromagnetic winding or moving and holding the same out of motor energizing position and said opening switch having a winding for effecting motor energizing positioning thereof subject to prior open positioning of said closing switch whereby interruption of the energizing circuit of said closing switch serves to efiect valve closing energization of the motor and to render said opening switch unresponsive, and control means for said switches.

7. In a reversing controller for electric motors, in combination, a pair of electromagnetically operated switches ada ted to effect line connections for the motor For operation in reverse directions respectively, one of said switches being biased to motor energizin position and adapted to be electroma etically moved and held out of such position, the other of said switches being movable electromagnetically to motor energizing position and biased out of such osition, and interlocking means for said switches to prevent simultaneous closure thereof.

8. In a reversing controller for'electric motors, in combination, a pair of electromagnetically operated switches adapted to eflect line connections for the motor for operation in reverse directions respectively, one of said switches being biased to motor energizing position and adapted to be electromagnetically moved and held out of such position, the other of said switches being movable electromagnetically to motor energizing position and biased out of such sition, interlocking means for said switch s to prevent simultaneous closure thereof, and voluntary selective control means for said switches adapted to be rendered ineffective upon closure of certain of said switches through extraneous interruption of the holding circuit of the same.

9. The combination with a conduit to be supplied with fluid under pressure a valve 0 en positioning of said closing switch for controlling the supply of fluid to said w ereby interruptionof the energizing circonduit and a reversible actuating motor for cuit of said closing switch serves to effect said valve, of a air of switches for efiecting valve closing energlzation of the motor and 15 5 valve closing an valve opening energization to render said'openin switch unres nsive, of said motor selectively, said closin switch control means for sai switches, an means having an electromagnetic winding or movcontrolled by the motor for limiting the ing and holding the same out of motor enoperation thereof. ergizing position and said opening switch In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub- 2" 10 having a winding for effecting motor enerscribed my name. gizing positioning thereof subject to prior EDWARD T. FOOTE. 

